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Wednesday, December 5, 2007
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Fibromyalgia and Massage Therapy
About every 6 weeks I go to a nationally certified massage therapist for a full massage. She uses a variety of techniques. I have a lot of pressure points and/or very tender, sore areas. She applies pressure on some areas, uses a technique she calls "unwinding" the muscle knots, stretches my muscles, and uses drainage of the lymph nodes. The therapy is painful, since I have fibromyalgia, but it seems to help loosen things up. If I have a stiff neck and headache, the work she does in that area definitely helps my headache.
I am wondering what results others with fibromyalgia experience if they have massage therapy.
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http://bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
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DonnaZ
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Tuesday, November 20, 2007
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Maintaining a Positive Attitude: Ten Strategies (for Fibromyalgia Patients)
I try to maintain a positive attitude in spite of fibromyalgia and arthritis pain and physical limitations. This article gives 10 pointers for how to keep your attitude positive.
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Maintaining a Positive Attitude: Ten Strategies
Thursday, June 21, 2007
By: Deborah A.
Barrett, PhD
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"Have a positive attitude." How many times have we heard that one? While our
emotions can not cause fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, they no doubt
affect our symptoms. But how can we maintain good thoughts when our bodies feel
so lousy? This challenge, of course, does not pertain exclusively to chronic
illness, but to any time when things do not go as we wish. But in the case of
ongoing illness, seeing the positive presents a continuous struggle.
Yet our moods are not perfectly correlated with our physical state. Most
likely we can all recall times that despite much pain or fatigue, we were able
to cope and even achieve high spirits. Perhaps the weather was perfect, good
friends visited, we just accomplished something or helped somebody, making us
feel good about ourselves. Other times, depression seems to take hold even when
our physical discomfort is at a manageable level. Why is this? Answering this
question is the key to finding optimism.
To me, the vicissitudes of fibromyalgia feel like a swim in the turbulent sea
-- sometimes it seems we have fallen and the waves continue to crash on our
heads, as we fight to rise, only to be knocked down yet again. But that same
ocean sometimes allows us to find a wave we can ride smoothly to the shore.
What can we do when we feel under the waves? How can we find the strength to
climb back on top, and the patience to know that we will? Here are ten cognitive
exercises I use to maintain the most positive attitude I can:
1. Expect bumps! It is important to acknowledge that we will
sometimes feel down. Who wouldn't in our condition? But by expecting rather than
dreading down time, such periods become more tolerable. In addition, recognizing
that we will have blue periods helps keep them in perspective. We will be able
to say to ourselves, "I was depressed before, and got out of it; this time, too,
it will pass." It is easy to forget that before our illness, there were times we
felt down. Now these periods are wrapped up in our medical problems; but
everyone gets depressed some of the time. After accepting that we will sometimes
feel sad, and even experience self pity, we can concentrate on ways to shorten
these periods and make them fewer and farther between.
2. Track the changes. Keeping track of moods helps put ups and downs
into perspective. During your best times, make a conscious attempt to capture
the feeling. Leave notes on your wall attesting to the way you feel. Living with
chronic illness easily creates a Jekyll-and-Hyde persona, where your optimistic
self and your flare-up self are not sufficiently acquainted. When we feel bad,
it becomes quite difficult to imagine that things can be otherwise. Similarly,
during times of improvement, it's amazing how quickly we may forget how bad a
previous period was, making subsequent flare-ups not only intolerable but
shocking. Counting and measuring the duration of the bad times -- as well as the
good ones -- can put them into perspective. It may be that over time, our worst
occurs about once a month, although it feels much more frequent. This knowledge
is empowering, because we can remind ourselves that a bad flare is, for example,
our monthly temporary setback, and find ways to ride it out until our baseline
returns.
3. Stockpile fun distractions. We all need to keep lists handy of
the things that make us happy. One of the cruelties of our condition is that
when we need distractions most, we are least equipped to seek them out. For this
reason it is important to compile a list of our favorite activities when we are
feeling optimistic to be used when we most need them. People with fibromyalgia
often describe how even their worst pain can be put on a back burner, so to
speak, when they become engrossed in an activity. This is not only a
psychological but a physiological response: our brains can only process so much
input at once. When we are engrossed in a beautiful movie, talking to a good
friend on the phone, or listening to our favorite music while lying on a heating
pad or in the bathtub, we can trick our pain receptors into leaving us alone!
Meanwhile improvements in spirit have an added impact on our entire well-being.
Laughter is good medicine; while dwelling on our troubles tends to compound
them.
4. Shape your perspective. Is the glass half empty or half full?
Perspective determines, quite literally, how we view the world. Having a chronic
illness creates an ambiguous construction of reality for us. Am I, for example,
a successful cripple or an unsuccessful professional? In American culture, much
emphasis is placed on independence, individualism, and achievement. Through this
lens, developing a condition that makes us feel more dependent and less
productive is likely to be a huge disappointment. Yet as we get older, it
becomes more likely that we, or somebody close to us, will experience
debilitating problems. People are often forced to adapt to sudden, new
conditions by adopting a perspective that accommodates change. Our perspectives
are shaped by the comparisons we make and the expectations they create.
Consider, for example, the immigrant who had been practicing medicine in his
home country, but flees to the US to escape a repressive political regime. Here
he works as a janitor; after years of medical study, he has lost a prestigious
and rewarding occupation. Yet he is thankful for the opportunity to work and
wakes each day driven by hope, perhaps, of a better future for his children. Yet
his difficulties are also quite apparent. What keeps his spirits up and makes
him thankful rather than bitter? His perspective.
5. Create a new self. If we hang on tightly to the "old self" we
were, finding the value of our "new self" becomes increasingly difficult. (We
may even exaggerate how fit that person was: "I didn't need any sleep, I never
felt bad, I could do anything!"). This does not mean we should totally discard
our previous conception of self; rather, we need to find a way to integrate the
two. In other words, we should seek to find in our new bodies new ways to enjoy
and experience the things that we had done before. Consider all the aspects of
yourself that you like, and the things that you most want to do; then step by
step, find ways to achieve as many of these as you can. At the same time,
recognize that our expectations must shift so that we can once again meet them.
6. Don't forget the good stuff. While the physical symptoms of
fibromyalgia can feel all-encompassing, there are other parts of our life--our
social relationships, passions, family -- that also exist. By focusing on the
positive aspects of our life, we become more aware of how many there are: the
friends that stuck by us, the things we still enjoy, and the accomplishments we
have been able to make, however small, under very different conditions. Because
each task now represents a challenge, we should celebrate whatever we manage to
accomplish. As we have been told many times, if we shorten the list and pace
ourselves whatever we do eventually adds up to something to be very proud of.
7. "Oy, it could be worse." (The Jewish mantra). As comparisons
shape our view, it is helpful to find comparisons that will provide a fuller
appreciation for what has befallen us. OK, the "eat because children are
starving in (fill in the developing country)" did not work for you as a child.
But try to think of it this way: Many bad things happen in the world. The odds
are that some of them will happen to us. Not because of anything that we have
done, but because, as the saying goes, **** happens. It takes only a short view
of the evening news to remind ourselves of the horrors occurring every day. So,
this is what has happened to us. We too were caught. Let us examine what we
have: (a) We know our condition is not terminal, so we need not begin
contemplating our pending mortality. (b) As bad as we sometimes feel, our
underlying condition is not going to get worse. We have already experienced the
worst, and, to our credit, have gotten through it. (c) Although few people
achieve permanent remission, many improve significantly. As we understand how
our actions and emotions influence our general well-being, we can find ways to
partake in more and more activities.
8. Keep the hope alive! There is so much room for hope. It has only
been since the 1990s that our condition has acquired any legitimacy from the
medical community. We are in a far better position than the generations before
us who suffered without ever receiving validation. We know much more about the
important roles of exercise, medication, stretching, pacing and meditation to
bring relief and a sense of control. Furthermore, as medical research increases,
it is only a matter of time before better therapies (and perhaps even a cure!)
are introduced.
9. Lean on me! A single most important predictor of how we do is the
support network we create. We certainly appreciate what it means when someone
helps us when we feel especially lousy. Make sure that, within your means, you
continue to be a good friend to those you care about. We still have lots to
give. During a good moment, write to a friend that you are thinking about her.
Help your family and friends find ways to maintain their relationship with you.
Invite them to your place to eliminate traveling (and do not worry what your
place looks like! They came to see you, not your housecleaning abilities). Try
to be open with family members, while at the same time supportive of their
needs. Put yourself in their shoes as often as possible -- it can be scary to
have someone you love be sick! Also make sure to seek help outside of your
immediate circle so as not to drain your closest friends and family. There are
now all sorts of support groups, both live and in virtual computer space.
10. Indulge whenever you can. We have lots of time to focus on our
thoughts. Most people do not have the luxury of taking time to relax and think.
OK, we did not ask for these "time outs." They are demanded by the needs of our
bodies. Nevertheless, we have control over how we use this extra time. Instead
of dwelling on what our bodies are not doing, give your fantasy full liberty.
Turn these rest periods around to be indulgent time. In our mental playground,
we can practice dance steps we used to know (for there will be some times we can
dance!). We can use the time to think through problems we face and how we want
to spend time when we are feeling ready, or we can analyze a movie we recently
saw, say prayers, or mentally write a letter to a friend. The article you are
now reading is a product of a spell in the middle of the night, when I lay in
bed, unable to sleep. After taking steps to make myself more comfortable, I
decided to think about what I would write next. I figured that if I fell asleep,
great! But if not, I'd have thought through my next article. It was about this
point when I, satisfied, went off to dreamland.
Deborah A. Barrett has a Ph.D. in Sociology from Stanford University. Since
then she has worked as a postdoctoral fellow at University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Emory University, and Duke University. |
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Thursday, July 12, 2007
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If You Are Nuts About Health....
This article from Six Wise lists the nuts that are healthiest for you. Since those of us with fibromyalgia need to eat healthy, I felt it to be appropriate to include in my blog.
If You are Nuts About Health, Try the Top 6 Healthiest Nuts
by www.SixWise.com
Many people were scared away from nuts during the low-fat
craze of the last few decades, but now nuts are making a comeback.
Nuts are excellent sources of protein, minerals, "good"
monounsaturated fats and other nutrients, and they're
good for the heart.
A study conducted by Loma Linda University in California
that involved 31,000 Seventh Day Adventists found that eating
nuts lowered the risk of heart disease and helped participants
to keep their weight down. Other large-scale studies, including
the Physician's Health Study, the Iowa Women's Heath Study
and the Harvard Nurses Health Study, also found that eating
nuts lowered heart disease risk. Other studies have shown
that nuts help lower bad "LDL" cholesterol.
In fact, in July 2003, the FDA approved the following health
claim for nut package labels:
"Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that
eating 1.5 ounces per day of some nuts, as part of a diet
low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk
of heart disease."
It only takes a small handful of nuts to satisfy hunger (and
help you stay full longer), and there are many varieties to
choose from. Here are six of the healthiest.
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 1.
Walnuts
When it comes to nuts, the walnut is the king. It's
a great source of the healthy omega-3 essential fatty
acids, which have been found to protect the heart, promote
better cognitive function, and provide anti-inflammatory
benefits for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema and
psoriasis.
Walnuts also contain the antioxidant compound ellagic
acid, which is known to fight cancer and support
the immune system. But that's not all--in a study
in the August 2003 issue of Phytochemistry, researchers
identified 16 polyphenols in walnuts, including three
new tannins, with antioxidant activity so powerful they
described it as "remarkable."
Walnuts are incredibly healthy for the heart. A study
in the April 2004 issue of Circulation found that when
walnuts were substituted for about one-third of the
calories supplied by olives and other monounsaturated
fats in the Mediterranean diet:
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Total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol were
reduced
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The elasticity of the arteries increased by 64
percent
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Levels of vascular cell adhesion molecules, which
play a major role in the development of atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries), were reduced
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 2.
Almonds
Just a quarter cup of almonds contains nearly 25 percent
of your needed daily value of the important nutrient
magnesium, plus is rich in potassium, manganese, copper,
the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium, and calcium.
In fact, a quarter cup of almonds has almost as much
calcium as a quarter cup of milk.
They're also great for the colon. An animal study
on the effects of almonds on colon cancer found that
animals (which were exposed to a colon-cancer-causing
agent) given whole almonds had fewer signs of colon
cancer than animals given almond oil or no almonds.
Researchers suspect the benefit may be due to almonds'
high fiber content.
Plus, almonds are one of the best nuts for lowering
cholesterol because 70 percent of the fat they contain
is the healthy monounsaturated variety, which has been
shown to help clear arteries.
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Cashews
Cashews are lower in fat than most nuts, and 65 percent
of this fat is unsaturated fatty acids. Of this, 90
percent is oleic acid, the heart-healthy fat found in
olive oil.
Plus, cashews are rich in copper, magnesium, zinc,
iron and biotin.
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Pecans
Pecans are an excellent source of over 19 vitamins
and minerals including vitamins E and A, folic acid,
calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, manganese,
several B vitamins and zinc.
Plus, according to Sue Taylor, R.D., director of nutrition
communication for the National Pecan Shellers Association,
"Recent clinical research studies evaluating the
impact of pecans on serum cholesterol have found pecans
can significantly help lower blood cholesterol when
consumed as part of a heart-healthy diet."
In fact, a study from New Mexico State University found
that eating 3/4 cup of pecans a day may significantly
lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and help to clear the arteries.
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 5.
Brazil Nuts
These nuts are extremely nutrient-rich and contain
protein, copper, niacin, magnesium, fiber, vitamin E
and selenium. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that
works to neutralize dangerous free radicals. A study
at the University of Illinois even found that the high
amounts of selenium in Brazil nuts may help prevent
breast cancer.
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 6.
Macadamia Nuts
These nuts are high in protein, fiber, healthy monounsaturated
fats, potassium and magnesium. And, a study done at Hawaii
University found that people who had added macadamia nuts
to their diets for just one month had total cholesterol levels
of 191, compared to 201 for those eating the typical American
diet. The largest change was found in the LDL (bad) cholesterol.
A Little Goes a Long Way
The key with nuts is simply not to overeat them. They are
highly concentrated in both their calories and their nutrients,
so you only need a small handful at a time. Eating a variety
of nuts appears to be the best way to get all the different
benefits each nut has to offer.
Recommen
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Monday, June 4, 2007
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Fibromyalgia...What therapies Help You?
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I find that exercise helps my fibromyalgia by giving me more energy and
loosening up my muscles a little. Yes it hurts to exercise but you have
to just work through that. I try to exercise for 30 minutes 4 or 5 days
a week. Now that the weather is nice I walk outdoors. If the weather
doesn't cooperate I use my ski machine plus do some stretching exercises
for my arms/shoulders.
Does anyone else with fibromyalgia find that exercising is beneficial?
I have tried massage therapy several times for upper body. The therapist
tells me I have knots up and down alongside my spine. The massages are
painful and I am not sure how helpful they are in the long run. I have
not tried a different therapist to see if the pain is less. This one
seems to do deep muscle therapy. My shoulders and back hurt as she is
working on them to the point that I have found myself gritting my teeth!
If anyone out there has found massage therapy of a specific type to be
helpful without being quite painful I would like to know about it.
I am curious whether other fibromyalgia sufferers notice any difference
in how various diets affect their symptoms? Does a high protein diet
help more than a high carbohydrate diet for example? Does a high
carbohydrate diet give you more over-all energy or do you get energy
slumps? Any comments relative to this subject are encouraged.
I am interesting in knowing if anyone is taking medication for symptoms
of fibromyalgia. If so, does it seem to help? What type of medicine is
helping for which symptoms?
I am taking cyclobenzoprine (Flexeril) at night to help my muscles relax
when I sleep. Otherwise I am prone to muscle spasms, especially in my
feet, legs, and back. These are very strong and painful. I must get out
of bed and dance around on my toes to decrease the pain in my feet and
calves. The medication keeps my muscles from feeling as stiff and
painful after a few hours of sleep. My sleep quality has improved
somewhat although I still semi-wake up several times during the night.
DonnaZ
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Sunday, March 18, 2007
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Treatment for IBS..Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, (IBS) depends upon the person's symptoms. For some,
certain foods may trigger symptoms. It is helpful
to keep a food diary so you can determine whether
particular foods trigger your symptoms.
Some suggestions of problematic foods to limit or avoid are:
- Caffeine
- Fatty foods
- Dairy products
- Fruit
- Sorbitol (artificial sweetener)
- Beans
- Cabbage
- Raw cauliflower
- Raw broccoli
Other suggestions to try:
- Increase fiber intake. You may have to experiment with different types of fiber for best results.
- Drink at least 8 gl***es of water daily.
- Exercise regularly.
- Try to practice relaxation techniques. You may need to learn about stress management to help relieve your symptoms.
- Try loperamide if you have irritable bowel syndrome with mainly diarrhea.
- Try Zelnorm (tegaserod) if you have irritable bowel syndrom with mainly constipation.
- Try antianxiety medication such as Paxil.
- Quit smoking if you are a smoker.
- Eat slowly and in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Limit the amount of liquids you drink while eating. It is better to get your liquids between meals so you don't dilute your stomach acid.
Try some of these suggestions to determine whether they help your irritable bowel syndrome. Adopt those treatments that help you the most. You will need to experiment, as we are all individuals with different symptoms.
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Saturday, March 3, 2007
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Exercise and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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Although this article refers to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome I believe the advice is just as pertinent for those of us with Fibromyalgia since the symptoms of the two conditions overlap so much.
Exercise and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
"Is exercise making you sick?"
What exactly is healthy exercise for chronic fatigue syndrome? I used to go down to the gym, lift weights for a few hours until I reached total exhaustion and then repeat the process several days a week.
Externally my body looked in healthy muscular condition. But internally I was very sick and exhausted. As well as weight training my exercise regime was strenuous running and intense martial art training.
At this stage in my life I truly believed that such hard-core body building training or exercise was beneficial to my health. We are told everywhere to exercise more. But the body building training I was doing was in fact making my body very weak and was one of the elements causing my body to finally break down into a state of bedridden exhaustion (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) for several years.
Weight training involves tearing the muscle fibres and then letting these muscle fibres heal again. This causes a growth in muscle m***. Weight training is like a mild trauma to the muscular tissue and nervous system. If a person does not fully recovery from each body building training session then overtraining results.
Every athlete will tell you the dangers of overtraining. Overtraining syndrome is a serious problem marked most noticeably by a decrease in performance, strength, speed, endurance, increased fatigue, persistent muscle soreness, mood disturbances and feeling “burnt out”.
If overtraining is continued for a sustained period of time it can lead to a full nervous system shutdown resulting in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a chronic medical condition. Symptoms include excessive unrelenting fatigue and weakness, general body pain, mental brain fogginess, stomach and intestinal problems. The degree of severity can differ widely among people. Severity can vary between getting unusually fatigued following stressful events, to being totally bedridden and completely disabled.
What is healthy exercise?
So what is healthy exercise? To answer this lets look into the ancient wisdom of the 5000 year old healing science known as ayurveda.
According to ayurvedic medicine exercises main aim is to create vibrant energy, radiant health, and keep ones body in good shape.
But exercise should be within limits. Modern research confirms that too much exercise can create free radicals and damages the body. Excess free radicals have been linked to over 80% of degenerative disease as well as premature aging. Also too little exercise creates weight gain, fatigue and poor health.
According to ayurvedic medicine you should not use more than 50 percent of your total energy capacity to exercise. And that capacity depends on daily fluctuations of energy, health, change of the seasons, age, and body type.
Exercising beyond one's capacity can create imbalance in mind and body and do more harm than good.
Exercise should not exhaust people. Exercise should not be a torture chamber of running 50 miles a day. It should be beneficial to ones health and also beneficial to ones mind. How can doing painful exercise, that makes ones mind react negatively, be of benefit? And most importantly most people will not make exercise a daily habit if it’s too painful a task.
One should exercise every day, as part of your regular daily routine. If possible, exercise in the morning before 10:00, as your body has more strength and stamina during this time of day. Exercising at this time also energizes you for the day ahead.
Avoid exercise in the late evening or towards bedtime, because it rises body temperature and disturbs sleep patterns. Avoid exercise from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It's not a good idea to exercise on a full stomach, nor is it good to exert yourself if your stomach is too empty. Wait about two hours after a full meal. Have a light snack of fruit, soup and warming food before exercising and eat your full breakfast afterwards.
The seasons follow another pattern. If you want to increase your exercise, winter and spring are the best times. In hot weather, you need to decrease exertion and stay out of the hot sun.
As for age, younger people have more capacity for exercise and older people need less although daily body exercise is essential at any age.
What exercise should people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome do?
Ayurveda recommends three exercises which are supreme in creating energy and health. These three exercises should be approached slowly with people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and should be combined with adequate recovery rest time.
The length of time one does exercise is in direct relation to ones energy. The rule is to exercise to half your capacity, not more. Often people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have no capacity to exercise at all due to chronic depletion. In such a situation one should rest and avoid exercise until ones energy capacity increases enough to gain benefit from exercise.
Walking
With walking exercise to half your capacity. If you can walk twenty minutes do only ten minutes. Your capacity represents the total amount of energy you have and going beyond that you are completely tired and can't go any further. The purpose of exercise is not to drain all your energy but to produce more of it. For this reason, never work out to your full capacity. Stop while you still feel energetic and comfortable both mentally and physically.
Breathe through your nose, close your mouth while walking. Breathe deeply with your abdomen. Exercise should enhance rather than diminish energy and vitality. You should be energetic both during the exercise and afterwards. As long as you feel this you are not going beyond what your body can handle. If you feel strained and exhausted during the exercise or afterward, you're doing too much.
If you're not exerting enough, you can exercise for a longer period or with more intensity. You could start with a walk, but each day you could increase the intensity of exercise (by walking faster). Or you could walk for a longer time (increasing the duration). Start out slowly and gradually increase the intensity and time. Stop when you note signs of overexertion. If you begin by exercising at 50% of your maximum capacity, with time your maximum capacity will rise as you become stronger.
You can continue to walk until you notice one of the following two signs of overexertion:
If you can no longer breathe through your nose, that's a sign that your body is overstrained, slow your pace until nose breathing becomes possible again. Sweating on forehead or tip of nose. Its fine to sweat elsewhere in the body, but when you notice sweat in these two places it's a sign that you are overexerted and you should stop. If you're not exerting enough, you can exercise for a longer period or with more intensity. Each day increase the intensity of exercise by walking faster or for longer time. Start out slowly and gradually increase the intensity and time. Stop when you note signs of overexertion. After any exercise always fully relax and lie on the floor with your arms and legs stretched in shavasana pose. Stay in this pose for half the amount of time you spent doing walking. This is as important as the exercises because if not done strain will occur while the body is adjusting to its new healthier structure.
Yoga
Yoga is the king of exercise. Yoga exercises include stretching poses, breathing techniques and muscular locks.
Yoga is a perfect healing science that’s been time tested and holds strong today as it did thousands of years ago. Its techniques are derived from yoga masters whom spent their life learning everything about the human body, mind and soul.
Yoga techniques powerfully help detoxify and rejuvenate your body. Yoga m***ages and nourishes all your internal organs.
With all yoga exercises it’s important to go at a level that doesn’t aggravate your imbalance. Often too much movement aggravates Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but some mild gentle slow movement heals it. If you’re very weak then complete rest and no exercise is needed. So be aware of how your body reacts with yoga exercises. Never push through pain. Pain is an indication to stop. Start with only a few exercises then slowly build up to do them all. Please adjust to your own body’s response and use common sense.
If you are very weak do one rounds once a week or once every two weeks and slowly build up to more rounds when your body’s physiology adjusts, heals and repairs to its new healthier structure. Always listen to your body. Your body knows exactly how much exercise it can tolerate. If exercise doesn’t increase your energy and well-being then your physiology isn’t ready for it yet.
I describe in full detail in my e book “Cure Your Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” what yoga exercises are useful for healing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at my website:
www.curechronicfatigue.com
M***age
M***age has huge rejuvenating attributes that heal the human body. M***age is a very p***ive exercise, perfect for those depleted with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Special herbal oils are m***aged and absorbed through your skin. These go deep into nourishing your nervous system. They penetrate the vital organs providing health and vitality. Plus the heat from the m***age friction makes absorbing these oils very easy.
M***age also stimulates all the acupressure points, which stimulate and balance all the organs and glands in the body. A daily oil m***age is a panacea in bringing about human rejuvenation. It is a must for those suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
The best exercise for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome suffers is self m***age or yoga. If one is too exhausted to do self m***age you can get a weekly full body m***age from a professional. And for those too exhausted for full body m***age start with a weekly foot m***age from a professional reflexologist.
Final thoughts
Weight lifting is clearly not the ideal exercise to promote health and energy. Where as walking to half your capacity, yoga and m***age nourish your organs, increase strength and promote health. These exercises lead you to extraordinary vitality, energy and well-being. They also reduce fat and keep your body is prime shape and appearance.
Author of this article Jeremy Carew-Reid is a natural healer in Ayurvedic medicine. On his website www.curechronicfatigue.com you can learn how you how you can heal Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. His website contains a wealth of free health articles on everything you need to know about healing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Copyright © 2004 by Jeremy Carew-Reid.
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http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
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Wednesday, January 3, 2007
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Diet and Irritable Bowel Syndrome...Part 3
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How do various beverages affect Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Dairy products (milk) can cause problems especially if you have lactose intolerance. This can lead to diarrhea, bloating, and gas. There are lactose-free milk products now but I personally have not tried them. There are also tablets you can take which are reported to help you digest dairy products. However, when I have tried these they did not seem to help.
Alcohol is a strong irritant to your digestive tract. Whether you consume an alcoholic beverage with a meal, or on an empty stomach may make a difference on how it affects your IBS. The type of alcoholic beverage may also make a difference on how it affects your IBS. If you consume alcohol you will just have to experiment to determine its effect.
Coffee is also a strong irritant to your digestive tract. It can cause cramps, and diarrhea in some individuals. Again, you may experiment with coffee to determine whether it affects your IBS.
Pop/soda can cause bloating, cramps, and diarrhea in some individuals. The carbonation can certainly stir things up in your bowel. If you drink diet pop/soda the artificial sweetener can cause similar problems, so you can compound the effect on your IBS.
What are preferred beverages for those of us with IBS? Try water, herbal tea, or small amounts of juice.
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You may comment on this article. What are your experiences with beverages concerning how they effect your IBS?
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Tuesday, December 26, 2006
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Diet and Irritable Bowel Syndrome...Part 2
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When eating to avoid IBS you need to learn to avoid foods that over stimulate your bowel. This may take some experimentation since we are all unique individuals. What bothers one person may not bother another. Some common foods that seem to irritate the bowel in persons with IBS are: dietary fat; coffee; carbonated beverages; alcohol; excessive sugar; some artificial sweeteners; dairy products; some meats. You may need trial and error to figure out which types of foods or beverages are irritating to your system.
It is also better to eat small meals instead of very large meals. Several small meals and snacks per day can help your bowel function more normally whereas even one very large meal can upset your system.
One strong IBS trigger has been found to be red meat, which is high in fat and difficult to digest. This isn't just bad for your heart but also for your colon, especially if you have IBS. Meatloaf, hamburger, steaks, and other red meat should be eliminated from your diet, as difficult as this sounds.
When it comes to dairy products these are difficult to digest as well. They can be a powerful trigger for IBS even in those who are not lactose intolerant. Don't believe those dairy ads touting the great health benefits of their products. The fatter the dairy product the more potential problems they will cause.
Fried foods inherently contain fat so are an IBS trigger. French fries, onion rings, breaded and fried vegetables, fried potatoes, alas, all have too much fat for those of us with IBS.
When eating poultry keep in mind that the dark meat contains more fat than the white meat. The dark meat in poultry may irritate your colon if your have IBS. Eat the white meat of chicken and turkey for easier digestibility.
When eating eggs keep in mind that the fatty part is the yolk. You may have problems digesting them. Experiment to see if they bother you. If so you can use the egg white and discard the yolk, or use half the yolks instead of all of them.
Coffee can irritate the colon and cause symptoms of IBS. Alcohol can also be an irritant. Carbonated beverages can cause bloating and cramps. The artificial sweeteners in diet soda or ice tea can irritate the colon. The caffeine in these beverages can also cause bowel problems.
This list of possible irritants in those of us with IBS can be very discouraging if you enjoy these foods and beverages. Try cutting back on them gradually and substitute healthier alternatives. I will be discussing healthier alternatives in another article.
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http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
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DonnaZ
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Tuesday, November 28, 2006
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Diet and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Part One
Many people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) have not been given any dietary recommendations by their physicians. It appears that little is known about this syndrome as far as what treatments may help. Physicians have a few medications they can prescribe. If these don't help, they generally do not have any other recommendations. I have had personal experience with this and have heard from others who also have not been given any dietary recommendations.
IBS has no recognizable physical findings that lead to this diagnosis. Even colonoscopies may be normal. IBS is a chronic functional disorder of the GI tract which has symptoms of recurrent pain and discomfort, bloating, gas, mucus in the stool, alternating constipation and diarrhea or a predominance for either constipation or diarrhea as the main symptom.
It has been suggested that people with IBS have abnormal muscle contraction and are overly sensitive to pain. A sudden attack of symptoms can occur without warning. If the person has predominantly diarrhea as a symptom it can affect their lives adversely. They are afraid they could have an attack at any time, any place. This makes life very difficult and nerve-wracking. Some wear adult diapers in case they have a problem. Some stay at home because they are afraid to go anywhere in public.
In this series of articles I will provide some information on dietary changes that may ease symptoms.
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http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
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Monday, September 18, 2006
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What Are The Different Types of Yoga?
Yoga is thought to be beneficial for those with arthritis and fibromyalgia. Do you know the difference between types of Yoga? This article explains it. You can decide if there is a form that you might be able to do without injuring yourself or causing extreme fatigue.
By Howard LeWine, M.D.
Brigham and Women's Hospital
With all the hype about yoga, there has to be a lot more to it
than sitting cross-legged and contorting your body in weird poses. And there is
much more. With over 800 styles of yoga to choose from, how can you find one
that you might like?
Rooted in Indian philosophy, yoga is an ancient method of
relaxation, regarded by many as a spiritual experience. However, in the last
five years yoga has become ubiquitous, with independent studios sprouting
everywhere and fitness centers incorporating yoga classes into their group
instruction curriculum. Although some people still view yoga as a practice
reserved for spiritual seekers looking for inner peace, yoga is rapidly being
embraced by many Americans as an alternative or additional way to increase
strength, endurance and body tone.
In fact, today many fitness experts recognize yoga as a
valuable part of functional training. Functional training (also called
functional exercise) has become a buzz word in the fitness industry, used in
programs for competitive athletes as well as recreational exercisers. Functional
training focuses on endurance, strength and coordination to allow individuals to
maximize performance of everyday tasks.
In a weight-training routine, incorporating deadlifts (a great
exercise to strengthen the back and thigh muscles) can help to decrease the
likelihood of injury and strain in a simple movement like bending over to tie
your shoe. Similarly, yoga can functionally develop the body by improving the
body's ability to interpret and respond to nerve signals sent back and forth
between the muscles and the brain. The increased connectedness of mind, nerves
and muscles results in more fluid body motions and quicker adjustments to
unexpected situations like tripping over a curb.
Yoga Basics
Yoga practice is commonly broken down into different postures
or asanas. The different postures are guided by breath and focus on using core
strength (mula bandha) to move energy (prana) through the body. Because there
are many different schools of yoga, it can be challenging to nail down which
discipline is right for you. Below is a simple guide to the different branches
of yoga.
- Ashtanga and power yoga — Ashtanga is a fast-flowing vinyasa-based
(connecting movement with breath) practice with a set sequence of postures.
Depending on the teacher, Ashtanga can be a rigorous workout, so be prepared to
sweat. Power yoga is a generalized term that emerged in the mid-'90s to make
yoga more accepted by western culture. Like Ashtanga, which is considered a
"power yoga," the focus is on moving energy and creating heat within the body.
- Jivamukti — Jivamukti originated out of a studio in New York City. A
challenging class with a fast-flowing pace, Jivamukti utilizes the
ashtanga-style, but incorporates chanting, singing, readings and meditation.
- Iyengar — The Iyengar flow is generally a much slower practice,
emphasizing stillness and form of each posture. Iyengar focuses on the body's
imbalances and promotes physical alignment and mental serenity. Iyengar practice
often incorporates props, such as straps, blocks and bolsters, to help a person
unable to perform a posture independently and obtain the full benefit of the
asana.
- Bikram — Bikram, also called "hot" yoga, aims to make you sweat
profusely. Bikram classes are held in heated rooms of around 100 degrees
Fahrenheit. The goal is to heat the body from the outside in and the inside out.
The Bikram practice is a series of 26 ordered postures.
- Kundalini — The Kundalini practice consists of rapid breathing,
postures, chanting and meditation. Using slow and deliberate movements,
Kundalini focuses on "moving energy through the body to enhance consciousness."
The term Kundalini is also used to describe an energy of awareness. The theory
is that through yoga and meditation one awakens his or her kundalini to discover
inner awareness.
- Kripalu — Also called "gentle" yoga, Kripalu integrates mind, body
and spirit in three stages — willful practice, willful surrender and meditation
in motion. It claims to promote spiritual healing by evoking awareness of your
physical, mental and emotional experience. The class consists of postures that
tone muscles, improve blood flow and energize the mind and body.
Most yoga classes range from 60 to 90 minutes long.
With so many styles of yoga, and its growing popularity,
fitness centers and independent studios have begun to group yoga disciplines.
For example, you might attend a class called restorative yoga or athletic yoga.
Broad terms are used to help students relate to the practice and get a general
sense of the flow of the class. You may also encounter hybrid fitness classes
that incorporate yoga techniques, such as yogalates (a combination of yoga and
Pilates), spin yoga (a class of half cycling and half yoga), and kids' yoga
(promoting movement, physical expression and inner spirit for kids).
Yoga can be a great vehicle for positive physical and mental
transformation. Ultimately, trial and error is the best way to determine which
style of yoga is right for you. Trying different classes and different teachers
can help you find one that meets your needs.
Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet publishing,
Harvard Health Publications. He is a clinical instructor of medicine at Harvard
Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine has been a primary
care internist and teacher of internal medicine since 1978. ______________________________________________________________________ http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia Please feel free to comment on the topic of yoga.
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Friday, August 11, 2006
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5 Time Savers You May Not Have Tried Yet
Although this article wasn't written specifically for those with fibromyalgia or other chronic pain, I thought it was pertinent because it gives ideas of things you can accomplish in a few minutes a day during the part of the day when you may have slightly more energy. By accomplishing even little tasks you can feel better about yourself.
| 5 Time Savers You May Not Have Tried
Yet |
By: Shari
Peace | |
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1. Do tasks less frequently
Run a report every 6 weeks instead of every 4 weeks. Clean house every 10
days rather than every 7 days. Hold a meeting twice a month instead of every
week.
2. Race yourself
Look at the clock & commit to have the task done by a specific time.
You?ll stay focused, avoid distractions & probably work with higher quality.
3. Make the most of 15 minutes
Can you find an extra 15 minutes in your day to use more effectively? Is
there ?wasted? time you can eliminate or a lower-valued task you can cut? Saving
15 minutes a day gives you a whopping 91 extra hours a year!
4. Have a list of small, easy tasks that take only a few minutes
Normally, of course, we want to work on big, important projects first. But
often when we?re stuck, tired, upset or overwhelmed, it?s hard to get anything
done & we waste time spinning our wheels. A list of small or micro tasks
will help you to get something done and will jumpstart your productivity. And of
course, it?s better to get even a small task done than nothing!
5. Work on a task or project for a certain amount of time
Instead of trying to complete a task at one time, say to yourself, ?I?ll work
on this for 15 minutes and see how much I can get done.? Stay focused and
challenge yourself to really get as much done as possible. (This tip is
especially effective for a task or project you?ve been putting off.)
About The Author
Shari Peace is an international speaker, an author, and the president of
Peace Talks, a professional speaking firm that helps organizations and people to
get more done. Her book, Crank It Out! How to Get More Done ? At Work & In
Your Life, features tips for smart time management and improved productivity.
Reach her at http://www.sharipeace.com" target=new>www.sharipeace.com.
http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
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Monday, June 26, 2006
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What Can I Do To Try To Feel Better? cont'd Fibromyalgia
This is a continuation of an article from NIAMS-Questions and Answers About Fibromyalgia. This section is more information on what you can do to feel better.
If you are unable to work at all due to a medical condition, you may qualify for disability benefits through your employer or the Federal Government. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) are the largest Federal programs providing financial assistance to people with disabilities. Though the medical requirements for eligibility are the same under the two programs, the way they are funded is different. SSDI is paid by Social Security taxes, and those who qualify for assistance receive benefits based on how much an employee has paid into the system: SSI is funded by general tax revenues, and those who qualify receive payments based on financial need. For information about the SSDI and SSI programs, contact the Social Security Administration.
- Eating well-Although some people with fibromyalgia report feeling better when they eat or avoid certain foods, no specific diet has been proven to influence fibromyalgia. Of course, it is important to have a healthy, balanced diet. Not only will proper nutrition give you more energy and make you generally feel better, it will also help you avoid other health problems.
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http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
DonnaZ
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to be continued.
Feel free to share your experiences with fibromyalgia in the comment section.
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Sunday, June 25, 2006
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Tips For Good Sleep/Fibromyalgia
This is a continuation of an article from NIAMS--Questions and Answers About Fibromyalgia.
Tips for Good Sleep
- Keep regular sleep habits. Try to get to bed at the same time and get up at the same time every day-even on weekends and vacations.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the late afternoon and evening. If consumed too close to bedtime, the caffeine in coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and some medications can keep you from sleeping or sleeping soundly. Even though it can make you feel sleepy, drinking alcohol around bedtime also can disturb sleep.
- Time your exercise. Regular daytime exercise can improve nighttime sleep. But avoid exercising within 3 hours of bedtime, which actually can be stimulating, keeping you awake.
- Avoid daytime naps. Sleeping in the afternoon can interfere with nighttime sleep. If you feel you can't get by without a nap, set an alarm for 1 hour. When it goes off, get up and start moving.
- Reserve your bed for sleeping. Watching the late news, reading a suspense novel, or working on your laptop in bed can stimulate you, making it hard to sleep.
- Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
- Avoid liquids and spicy meals before bed. Heartburn and late-night trips to the bathroom are not conducive to good sleep.
- Wind down before bed. Avoid working right up to bedtime. Do relaxing activities, such as listening to soft music or taking a warm bath, that get you ready to sleep. (An added benefit of the warm bath: it may soothe aching muscles.)
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http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
DonnaZ
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Article to be continued. Please feel free to comment on the topic of sleep for those with fibromyalgia. If you have any suggestions or tips that help you sleep more soundly let others know.
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Thursday, June 22, 2006
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Will Fibromyalgia Get Better With Time? What Can I Do To Try To Feel Better?
This is a continuation of information from NIAMS..Questions and Answers About Fibromyalgia.
Will Fibromyalgia get better with time? Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, meaning it lasts a long time-possibly a liketime. However, it may comfort you to know that fibromyalgia is not a progressive disease. It is never fatal, and it won't cause damage to your joints, muscles, or internal organs. In many people, the condition does improve over time.
What can I do to try to feel better? Besides taking medicine prescribed by your doctor, there are many things you can do to minimize the impact of fibromyalgia on your life. These include:
- Getting enough sleep-Getting enough sleep and the right kind of sleep can help ease the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia. Even so, many people with fibromyalgia have problems such as pain, restless legs syndrome, or brain-wave irregularities that interfere with restful sleep.
- Exercising-Though pain and fatigue may make exercise and daily activities difficult, it's crucial to be as physically active as possible. Research has repeatedly shown that regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments for fibromyalgia. People who have too much pain or fatigue to do vigorous exercise should begin with walking or other gentle exercise and build their endurance and intensity slowly. Although research has focused largely on the benefits of aerobic and flexibility exercises, a new NIAMS-supported study is examining the effects of adding strength training to the traditionally prescribed aerobic and flexibility exercises.
- Making changes at work-Most people with fibromyalgia continue to work, but they may have to make big changes to do so: for example, some people cut down the number of hours they work, switch to a less demanding job, or adapt a current job. If you face obstacles at work, such as an uncomfortable desk chair that leaves your back aching or difficulty lifting heavy boxes or files, your employer may make adaptations that will enable you to keep your job. An occupational therapist can help you design a more comfortable workstation or find more efficient and less painful ways to lift.
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http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
article to be continued
Please feel free to comment on this portion of the article and share your experiences.
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Thursday, May 18, 2006
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Why I Avoid Negative People Like The Plague
Why am I posting an article on having a positive attitude? Your attitude can definitely affect how you feel about yourself and your pain. Since fibromyalgia varies from day to day, even your mental outlook can affect how you feel. Read this article and try to implement the suggestions. It can't hurt and may help you cope.
Here's my latest article on why a positive attitude is so
important to your
success.
Feel free to reprint it in your ezine or blog, with live
hyperlinks in the author
bio.
_______________________________________________
Why I Avoid
Negative People Like The Plague
If you're trying to make any sort of
change in your life,
to take your self or your business to a higher
level,
there's a certain kind of person that you should avoid like
the
plague.
They're the pessimists, the negative people who see
life
through glasses coloured with their own limiting beliefs
and low
self-esteem.
These are people who can never see the good side of
things.
who insist that someone or something is out to get them.
Who
have so much self-loathing, that the only way they can
feel good about
themselves is by judging others. So little
self-esteem that they end up
pulling you down with them.
They don't seem to understand that negativity
and hate only
breeds more of the same. And what you give out, you
get
back.
Some of them try to cover it up with
arrogance,
masquerading as over-confidence. I've met a few of these
types,
and I avoid them like the plague.
Why, you ask? Do I not want to help
them?
Well, yes. I used to feel sorry for them, until I realised
that
you can only help someone who WANTS to be helped.
And the pessimists
don't want to be helped. Because there's
a payoff for their
behaviour.
And that payoff is - not having to take responsibility
for
their lives. Not having to take action to drag themselves
out of the
morass of their mind.
So they continue being negative, pulling others
down and
feeling sorry for themselves.
They justify their negativity
as being realistic. And
continue to attract more of the same.
Then
they wonder why they're in the miserable situation
they're in.
And if
you have someone like this in your life. Someone who
always makes you feel
worse, I'll give you some very good
advice.
Cut them off from your
life! Right now!
Because like a blood-sucking leech, they will drain you
of
all the positive feelings you have and drag you down into
their
miserable little world.
And if you happen to be a pessimist, here's some
advice for
you.
Change your attitude!
You can choose to think
negative thoughts or positive
thoughts. Guess which ones will help you
grow?
You can choose to judge people or see the good in them.
Guess
which attitude will build better relationships?
You can choose to
interpret life events in a way that
disempowers you or one that empowers you.
Guess which
attitude will help you recover faster from tragedy?
You
can choose to blame others or take responsibility for
your life. Guess which
attitude will help you take action
and grow as a person?
Your attitude
is a choice. Why not choose to make it a
good
one?
_______________________________________________
Copyright
© Priya Shah
Priya Shah blogs on internet marketing
http://www.marketingslave.com
and
personal growth
http://www.soulkadee.com
Click here for
free self-improvement ebooks
http://www.growmymind.com
This
article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is
left intact and all
links are hyperlinked.
_______________________________________________
If publishing to
the web, please use the resource box
below
_______________________________________________
Copyright ©
Priya Shah
Priya Shah blogs on
http://www.marketingslave.com"
target="_blank">internet marketing
and http://www.soulkadee.com"
target="_blank">personal growth.
http://www.growmymind.com"
target="_blank">Click here for free
self-improvement
ebooks.
This article may be reprinted as long as the resource
box is
left intact and all links are hyperlinked.
Please comment below on how you feel about having a positive attitude. Do you think it makes a difference in how you feel?
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Wednesday, May 10, 2006
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An Exercise Option For Fibromyalgia Patients
Tonight in my fibromyalgia support group one of the ladies brought some balloons and an exercise sheet of directions to follow. We first stretched the flat balloons, holding the belly in one hand and the neck in the other hand. We stretched it 10 times, then just held it in the stretched out position for a count of 10. After that we blew up the balloon and tied it. We used it for numerous isometric type exercises. For example, we held the balloon with both hands up over our heads, pressing it and releasing it 10X, then holding it still with hands pressed tightly against it for a count of 10. This was repeated in different positions, such as between our thighs, then between our calves, etc.
It was surprising how much of a workout we got just doing these balloon exercises while seated. These would be good for those of us who have difficulty doing more strenuous exercises. This is easier than trying to lift 1# weights.
Since several of us ladies were doing this at the same time we started to laugh at our antics, which is healthful in itself. If you can do this with a partner it makes it more enjoyable, but it is an exercise you can do by yourself while sitting in a chair.
Just an idea for an easier exercise for those with fibromyalgia.
______________________________________________________________________
You may reprint this article as long as you leave the resource box intact.
http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
DonnaZ
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Monday, May 8, 2006
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Fibromyalgia-3 Things Patients Can Do For Themselves
This article is written by a doctor and concerns suggestions for what we the patients can do to help our fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia - 3 Things Patients Can Do For ThemselvesMedical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Medical Editor: Leslie J. Schoenfield, MD, PhD
It is not unusual for a patient with fibromyalgia to ask the doctor: "What can I do to help relieve my symptoms? After all, I am not very interested in medications." Some patients with fibromyalgia make this or similar statements to their doctors because they are often younger and many do not have underlying (additional ongoing) medical conditions (although some do). Therefore, they are not accustomed to taking medications regularly. Are there really ways that patients can help themselves? Yes. Here are the big three: - Self-education.Understanding the battlefield is often half the battle. As persons with fibromyalgia develop a better understanding of their condition, it becomes far easier to cope with and address. Furthermore, for some, simply the realization that the condition does not threaten the body's organs and often improves over time can greatly relieve anxiety. The anxiety is often due to concern about the cause of the frequent pains of fibromyalgia. I would like to offer MedicineNet.com's Fibromyalgia article as an excellent resource for patients and their family members to become more familiar with the basic concepts of fibromyalgia and its diagnosis and treatment options. To further complement the consultation with the doctor, other sources of information include the Arthritis Foundation and local hospital support groups.
- Stress reduction.Reducing stress can help with muscle relaxation and improve non-Rapid Eye Movement (non-REM) sleep. Inadequate sleep of this type is felt to play a central role in promoting the symptoms of fibromyalgia. The response to stress differs from person to person. The reduction of stress in the treatment of fibromyalgia must be individualized for each patient. Stress reduction might include simple stress modification at home or work, biofeedback, relaxation tapes, psychological counseling, exercise activities such as yoga and/or support among family members, friends, and doctors. Sometimes, changes in environmental factors (such as noise, temperature, and weather exposure) can exacerbate the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and these factors need to be modified.
- Exercise. Aerobic activities that exercise the muscles can work together with the methods above to greatly relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Many experts on fibromyalgia feel that exercise works by promoting the non-REM sleep that is commonly deficient in patients with this illness. Low-impact aerobic exercises, such as swimming, cycling, walking, and stationary cross-country ski machines can be very effective. For patients who are unfamiliar with exercising options, a physical therapist can provide an ideal source of instruction. With any new exercise program, it is important to understand that a mild increase in aching in the first two weeks is expected. This increased aching is especially likely to occur when the patient has not been exercising and the muscles are deconditioned. Sometimes, applications of cold packs to sore muscles and tendons after exercising can help relieve muscle inflammation and soreness.
The big three methods above may be all a patient with fibromyalgia needs in order to regain optimal health. However, especially early on in treatment, it should also be understood that medications are available that can work with these methods to improve sleep, reduce pain, and relieve fatigue. Typically, these medications do not have major side effects and they may only be needed for temporary periods. The treatment of fibromyalgia, therefore, is often a classic blend of the efforts of the patient and the doctor who together can address the condition. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia DonnaZ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please feel free to comment on these suggestions.
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Wednesday, May 3, 2006
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Fibromyalgia...Pain Management Tips
Fibromyalgia has many symptoms. Not everyone has each symptom but certainly everyone with this syndrome has varying degrees of pain. Some days the pain is more intense than other days. The pain is not always in the same area or areas either. Something that hurts one day may not bother you as much the next day, but then something different aches instead. Someone once told me that fibromyalgia was called "travelling lumbago" many years ago.
Dealing with the pain is very difficult but you need to learn ways to manage it so it doesn't overwhelm you. Each person needs to try several different treatments to find the one or several that help because each person is unique. What works for one may not work for another.
Pain is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong. For example, if you twist your ankle, it hurts. This is your body's way of letting you know that you need to take care of the area to let it heal.
In fibromyalgia, your body appears to be overly sensitive to stimuli that do not bother "normal" people. The pain may be from damage to tissue, excessive fatigue, depression, stress, or other things, many of which we cannot pinpoint. That does not make the pain any less intense.
Thinking of pain as a signal to take positive action rather than as a continual ordeal you have to endure can help you learn ways to manage it.
Your mind plays an important role in how to respond to pain. If you feel helpless and depressed you decrease your physical activity, your social interaction, your zest for life. When these decrease you then feel more helpless and more depressed, leading to a vicious cycle of pain, decreased activity, lessened self-esteem, less social interaction, etc.
There are some things you can do to build a feeling of personal control and more positive feelings.
- Try to keep a positive attitude.
- Try to eat a balanced diet with limited sugar.
- Take part in regular exercise at least 3 days a week but preferably 5 days a week.
- Surround yourself with positive people rather than negative people who just make you feel worse.
- Try to increase humor by reading funny stories, reading jokes, recalling humorous circumstances in your past life, or any other means you can think of to make yourself laugh or at least smile. Perhaps a child did something funny, or perhaps you have a pet who does goofy things. Think about these things.
- Try to distract yourself from dwelling on the pain by doing something you enjoy. It might be reading a book, surfing the internet, watching a movie, listening to music, taking a walk outside, swimming, watching children play, going to a park, cooking, collecting teddy bears, talking to friends or family on the phone, or whatever else you find pleasurable.
These are some suggestions that I hope you find helpful. Try to add one or more to your routine and see if this provides any relief from pain.
Please feel free to leave comments on this article. I would love to hear how others with fibromyalgia or similar chronic pain deal with their bouts of pain.
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You may reprint this article as long as you leave this resource box intact.
http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
DonnaZ
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About Me
This blog is dedicated to those who have fibromyalgia. Some of the topics will be: causes and symptoms of fibromyalgia, lifestyle changes, excercise, fibromyalgia support, medications, research into fibromyalgia, what is fibromyalgia and other related topics.
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